Edward's eyes had
followed Emerson's every footstep, when the boy was aroused by hearing
a suppressed sob, and as he looked around he saw that it came from Miss
Emerson. Slowly she walked out of the room. The boy looked at Miss
Alcott, and she put her finger to her mouth, indicating silence. He
was nonplussed.
Edward looked toward Emerson standing in that window, and wondered what
it all meant. Presently Emerson left the window and, crossing the
room, came to his desk, bowing to the boy as he passed, and seated
himself, not speaking a word and ignoring the presence of the two
persons in the room.
Suddenly the boy heard Miss Alcott say: "Have you read this new book by
Ruskin yet?"
Slowly the great master of thought lifted his eyes from his desk,
turned toward the speaker, rose with stately courtesy from his chair,
and, bowing to Miss Alcott, said with great deliberation: "Did you
speak to me, madam?"
The boy was dumfounded! Louisa Alcott, his Louisa! And he did not
know her! Suddenly the whole sad truth flashed upon the boy.
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